Water damage

Water damage
 

 
In the face of increasingly severe weather disruptions in Canada, basement flooding and water damage are increasingly common.

Damage from sewer backups is very costly for homeowners, municipalities and insurance companies. Recent estimates show that the insurance industry in Canada pays out claims of $ 1.7 billion annually for water damage claims.

The bill for repairs can be high. Carpets, furniture and electronic equipment can be ruined, as can family photos and other priceless items.

Fortunately, you can protect your home and property.

What you can do

If you live in an area vulnerable to flooding and sewer backups, it is worth taking precautions.

Inside your home

Move valuables from the basement to upper floors.
Use water resistant materials in rooms that are below floor level.
Install a sump pump.
Install backflow preventers or plugs for drains, toilets and other sewer connections.
Mount major appliances, furnaces, water heaters and electrical distribution boards on blocks of wood or cement above the water level. If an object cannot be mounted this way, anchor it and protect it with a containment wall or screen.
Anchor the oil tanks to the ground. An oil tank can tip over or float in the event of a flood and could result in an oil leak or fire. Make sure vents and fill pipes are above flood levels. If you are using propane gas, contact the propane gas supplier before proceeding.
To prevent flooding, install containment screens or walls in basement windows and doors. The top of the protective walls should be above ground level.
If flooding is imminent, turn off power to any areas of the house that may be affected.
Outside your home

Make sure your land is well leveled. If possible, mound the soil around the house to keep water away from the foundation walls.
Also, examine sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways. Over time, they can settle and redirect water to the foundation of the house.
Use native plants and vegetation that resists soil erosion.
Clear snow near the foundation walls. If the slope of the ground is one inch per foot near the house, clearing the snow three to five feet from the house will reduce the problems.
Make sure there is no water in the window wells.
Make sure the downspouts extend at least 1.8m (6ft) from the foundation wall. The water should move away from your home and those of your neighbors towards the street, your backyard or the back alley.
Use a rain barrel.
Backflow preventer *

A backflow preventer or backflow preventer can prevent sewage from an overloaded main sewer connection from backing into the basement. The valve closes automatically when the sewage backs up.

A properly installed valve should be located so that the backflow is blocked and cannot find an outlet elsewhere in the basement, such as sinks, toilets, showers and laundry tubs. It should also be possible to check the valve regularly and remove any foreign matter that might prevent it from closing properly.

* Check with your municipality before installing a backflow or non-return valve.

Other tips

A trip in perspective? If the trip will take more than three days, have someone check your property. In the winter, empty the plumbing or have someone check it daily to make sure the heating is working in your home.
Store important documents and irreplaceable personal items away from flood-prone areas.
Store hazardous materials like paint, oil, and cleaning supplies elsewhere than in the basement.
Make an emergency plan for the family, including an emergency exit and where you would go if your house was flooded.
Prepare an emergency plan for your pets! They cannot go to a shelter due to health regulations and if left behind, animals in distress could damage the house or be hurt.
Have an emergency kit on hand for each family member that will help you survive the first 72 hours after a disaster.